I am a 34 year old female from the UK. I decided to try find out why my sweat and skin are very salty and when on holiday in hot climates even to the extreme of being able to see and brush off crystallized sodium from my chest arms and especially legs. Every web search comes back with the same results, as a symptom of Cystic Fibrosis. As far as I am aware there is no history of CF in my family, but I have not really delved into the family history as yet.

I was small and undernourished as a child with a poor appetite and bowel problems relating mostly to constipation which once resulted in two weeks of investigative hospitalisation. I also had dermatological problems. I still have a sluggish digestive system and have had all my years. I am not underweight now, but remain only 5 foot tall haha. To my knowledge I don't remember being particularly prone to respiratory illnesses which I know is one of the main symptoms of CF. Is it possible I may have a mild form of CF even though I do not suffer from one of the main symptoms? I have read about diagnosis in adulthood but as I technically am not "unwell" I do not want to rush to my doctor in fear of being labeled a hypochondriac! As the healthcare in the UK is mostly there to aid people who are "ill" and I don't wan't to waste their valuable time and resources when there are a lot more people with more serious needs than me.

Im 14 and live in Australia. I also have CF but not as extrememe as some other cases, Lucky my friends and family call it. My parents don't know how I got it because there is not history of CF in my family, a kind of mystery that we havn't solved after these 14 or so years! They found out that I had CF from the heel prick you get when your born, but it took them a while to pick it up.

I was diagnosed when I was 34, I am now 48. You need to know. The big lie of medicine has been that CF is purely respiratory disease. All your organs tha t have mucous are subject to problems. Salt on your skin and digestive troubles were my main symptoms. Pancreas, Intestines, Reproductive Organs are all subject to problems.

I am curious about the post above? My daughter wasn't diagnosed until 15 years old. She's now 18 years old. Most of her symptoms are GI related although she's going through a bout of continually testing postive for pseudamonas. We consider her to have a mild form of CF. Does this sound familiar to you?

Depending on your gene type, depends on what syptoms of Cf you will get. It's also down to what other gene's you have in your body, as sometimes they can interfere with the CF gene, making it worse, or better. to my understanding.

The salt thing is definately a CF type symptom. I get the whole crystalised salt thing on my arms and legs aswell. People with CF produce 100% more salt in there sweat than a 'normal' person. This alone would be enough to get checked out, and not be seen as a hypocondriac.

I'm guessing they'll have actually tested you for CF when you had bowel problems in the past. The bowel problems were the only reason I got diagnosed when I was 2.

These days though, they can test for a lot more CF gene's, so they have more chance of finding the gene in you if you do have a CF gene than they used to.

I definately suggest getting tested, if not just for your own peace of mind.

Hope you manage to get an answer soon!
It's true!: Smile and the whole world smiles with you. Frown and the world turns upside down.Diagnosed with: Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma, ABPA, Clinical Depression, Mild liver cirrohsis, mild osteopenia. Waiting for final diagnosis on Muscular Dystrophy type symptoms.
Allergies: Any dressing except Mepilex border. Even plasters make my skin blister. Hayfever, Tazocin, Tobromycin, Ibruprofen, Asprin, Codeine, Mirtazapine.
I have a pretty little port-a-cath on left side of chest wall

Hi, I am not a regular poster in this forum, but my son who is almost 15 went through all of the testing at the age of 9, with positive sweat chlorides,(80) and he is a carrier with symptoms. His symptoms are mainly GI with constipation and he has had to go to the hospital because he tends to become dehydrated. If you suspect you may have this, it is worth looking into at least for your peace of mind. My son was always small for his age, with poor weight gain, and was considered "failure to thrive" but nobody could tell me why. Today he is 5"0 and about 69lbs. However, he can eat an entire pizza on his own. There are varying levels of cystic fibrosis, this we found by going to Childrens Hospital.

Hi! I would definitely suggest getting checked out. From what you have said, it sounds like you do have the digestive problems that most cystics have. Getting your digestive problems under control could be as simple as taking a digestive enzyme that most of us take to help absorb the fats and nutrients. You are not a hypochondriach and have done a good job of researching the possiblilties before seeing your doctor. I wish you all the best!